Hibiscus plant named &#39;DUP-RRAS&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  hibiscus  plant named ‘DUP-RRAS’, characterized by a large, glossy, dark red eye slightly radiating between pale petal veins into a large lavender pink zone. Pale petal veins radiate nearly to the edge of the zone, which shades into a pale orange margin.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DUP-RRAS’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DUP-RRAS.’

Hibiscus have been the subject of human admiration for centuries. While the ancestry of present rosa-sinensis hybrids is not precisely known, today's hybrids are thought to be the products of interspecific crosses involving Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian species, among others, some of which may no longer be found in the wild, if at all. It is thought that the first hibiscus identified as a rosa-sinensis was a double red form of uncertain origin found in cultivation in China, India and Polynesia, to be later introduced to Hawaii from Polynesia. It is known to have been grown in Europe during the Victorian era. Eventually, it was introduced to the continental United States where it was cultivated outdoors in the Deep South as well as in regions having subtropical or Mediterranean climates (Florida and Southern California, respectively). Indoor cultivation took place in the temperate regions of the U.S. It is speculated that the original rosa-sinensis is actually a species hybrid, possibly naturally arising, involving two or more species. Regardless, present day hybrids are descended from the original double form, and are thought to include additional species such as Hibiscus liliiflorus, H. arnottianus, H. schizopetalus, and other species, known and unknown, some of which are no longer found in the wild, if at all.

Today, after decades of extensive hybridization, the moniker “rosa-sinensis” almost certainly denotes complex interspecific hybrids. Such hybrids are usually far removed from their species ancestors in form and color. Flowers characterized by spectacular size, color intensity and, in the last several decades, ringed and spotted patterns have been produced by U.S. hybridizers in Louisiana, Florida, Texas and elsewhere. Other hotbeds of activity include Australia, and more recently, Tahiti. Today's flowers are removed from their species ancestors to such an extent that it is almost impossible to unravel the species component contributions which comprise a modern hybrid hibiscus.

However, despite the fact that ongoing hybridization was giving rise to flowers of spectacular size and color intensity, very few if any early hybrids attracted the attention of large scale commercial propagators. While the flowers were truly some of the most impressive in the entire plant world, hybridizers had been selecting predominantly for bloom characteristics. As a result, many of these spectacular hybrids were weak plants which, even with the best care, were short-lived and difficult to grow. The occasional production of a spectacular bloom was enough to keep the interest of those truly dedicated to growing something rare and special, and thus new hybrids continued to be produced by hobbyists with abundant passion and small amounts of greenhouse space. As a result, more breathtaking varieties were produced each year, to be distributed via grafting among dedicated hobbyists, only to die out within a time span of 10 or 15 years. It should be noted that the majority of the varieties introduced in the 1960's, 70's and even many from the 1980's and 90's have already likely been lost to cultivation.

Progress toward the development of a plant which an average gardener could easily grow and enjoy was slow to non-existent. Many varieties were difficult to root from cuttings, and even if they did root, many varieties, when grown on their own roots, were extremely susceptible to fungal and bacterial root rots. Some grew acceptably only as grafted plants. However, grafted plants suffer from a serious disadvantage in that the quality of the graft generally determines the quality of the plant, making the production of uniformly vigorous plants a difficult task. Furthermore, after several years, it is common for grafted plants to develop stresses at the graft union due to the unequal growth rates of the rootstock and the scion. Such stresses can eventually lead to loss of vigor and death of the plant. Moreover, grafting does not completely cure the problem of root rot; surprisingly, the rootstock, when grafted to a root rot susceptible scion was generally still more likely to suffer rot than the a plant of the rootstock variety. For example, a plant of “Seminole Pink,” a garden variety commonly used as a rootstock, is highly resistant to root rot. However, when Seminole Pink is used as a rootstock for “Romeo,” a modern hybrid which is prone to root rot, the grafted plant, while less susceptible than Romeo, is more susceptible than a plant of Seminole Pink.

Perhaps the most detrimental disadvantage of grafted plants is the introduction of viruses into the scion from the rootstock. Rootstock varieties are almost invariably old garden varieties which, over the years, have become infected with multiple viruses. While the performance of such vigorous garden varieties may be largely unaffected by virus infection, the hybrid scion of grafted plants have generally been significantly less vigorous than the garden variety rootstock, and virus infection from the rootstock resulted in a weak plant. The problem only increased with successive generations of grafting, resulting in a rapid general weakening of a given variety over time.

Because many hybrids are shy bloomers at best, the extra stresses due to virus infection, grafting, low disease resistance, and the like generally gave sparse flower production, as well as a high number of deformed blooms. Furthermore, ordinary stresses such as over/under watering and mite/insect pests resulted in large amounts of bud drop. The buds of large-flowered hybrids often take relatively long times to reach blooming stage, and it was not uncommon to wait with anticipation while a bud swelled day by day, only to be disappointed when the mature bud toppled from its pedicel on the day it was to open.

Moreover, because of hybridizer emphasis on the flower, the plant was often relatively slow growing and sparsely clothed in leaves. Such plants usually do not attract purchasers as they do not have the appearance of garden-worthy specimens.

It has been noted in the industry that a hybrid hibiscus seems to sell only when it is bearing a bloom. The practical effect of all of the above-mentioned issues on a retail outlet is as follows. A garden center will order a number of plants. Many of the plants will arrive either in bloom or up to several days away from blooming. The blooming plants will generally sell the first day. On several subsequent days, new blooms will open on the remaining plants, and some of them will sell as well. However, by the fourth or fifth day, the lack of perfect growing conditions begins to take its toll, and the plants begin to drop their most mature buds. From this point on, the plants essentially sit around until they are marked down or even until they decline to such a degree that they must be discarded.

Such characteristics left hibiscus with the reputation that, despite the mesmerizing beauty of the flowers, they were for collectors who had time to attend to the seemingly exacting requirements of the plants. As a result, while new varieties were produced by hobbyists yearly, commercial scale propagation of modern hybrids was generally rare. Common garden varieties (Seminole Pink, Brilliant, President, Painted Lady, Butterfly, Lagos and others), which are easy to root, fast growing, and tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions were the only hibiscus widely available. The “exotics” were of little interest to commercial growers.

Many new varieties of hibiscus which represent a vast improvement in rosa-sinensis hybrids, have been produced by an intense hybridizing program conducted by the Inventor at his commercial nursery in Plaquemine, La. The objective of the program has been to produce varieties of hibiscus which root easily under commercial rooting conditions, grow well on their own roots, maturing rapidly into well-leaved, salable plants under commercial greenhouse conditions. Further objectives are to produce hibiscus cultivars as aforementioned, having large-flowers with unique and desirable flower characteristics, such as size, color intensity and pattern.

Asexual reproduction of the new hibiscus by hardwood, semi-hardwood, and terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in Plaquemine, La., has shown that the unique features of this new hibiscus are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DUP-RRAS’ has not been observed under all possible environmental variables. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrient and water status without, however, any variation in genotype. For example, during cooler weather, flowers of many hibiscus cultivars may demonstrate an increased intensity in pink tones. Furthermore, as with many varieties of hibiscus, cooler weather can result in a decrease in flower diameter, and a corresponding reduction in size of sepals and pistil. Moreover, as indicated below, plant characteristics vary greatly with culture, with internode spacings often increasing in warmer weather and with higher soil fixed nitrogen content. Plants grown at higher temperatures also exhibit a faster rate of growth. In general the plant used in the following description was grown at temperatures which never dipped below 55 F. Because the Inventor's one gallon pot plants are grown for an average time of about 5.5 to 6 months prior to sale, and the 10 inch pot plants are grown for an average time of about 7 to 8 months prior to sale, it is difficult to provide a precise temperature profile required to give the average plant measurements described in the below description. The growing period can encompass several seasons, with seasonal fluctuations in high/low temperatures as well as photo period. It is expected that the daily high temperature ranged from about 70 F to about 95 F, and the daily low temperature, which never dipped below 55 F, ranged from about 65 F to about 80 F.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DUP-RRAS.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DUP-RRAS’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Glossy, dark green leaves.

2. Semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and culture.

3. Freely flowering habit.

4. A flower characterized by a large, glossy, dark red eye slightly radiating between pale petal veins into a large lavender pink zone. Pale petal veins radiate nearly to the edge of the zone, which shades into a pale orange margin.

5. The plant is at least as free-flowering as each parent, and has been found to root more easily under greenhouse conditions than either parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new hibiscus, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new hibiscus.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a one plant ten inch hanging basket demonstrating the full range of flower doubling seen with the ‘DUP-RRAS.’

The photograph on the second sheet is a view of the reverse of the bloom.

The photograph on the third sheet comprises a flower profile which demonstrates the relative proportions of the pistil and bloom diameter. The calyx is clearly visible.

The photograph on the fourth sheet comprises two flowers of ‘DUP-RRAS,’ illustrating the fully single as well as semidouble forms of which the variety is capable.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations, measurements, and values describe plants grown in Plaquemine, La., with one plant per 10 inch container. Plants used for the description were plants in standard 10 inch hanging basket pots and were about 30 weeks old.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Pink Blush (not patented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Rum Runner (not patented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—‘DUP-RRAS’ has been propagated by taking hardwood,             semi-hardwood, and tip cuttings, with semi-hardwood             preferred. It should be noted that many methods of asexual             propagation, such as tissue culture and other cloning             processes, can be expected to show some degree of success in             the propagation of the present cultivar. However, of the             methods tried by the Inventor, the use of semi-hardwood             cutting has given the greatest yield of commercially salable             plants. Asexual propagation has resulted in plants which             have the flower and plant characteristics of the original             ‘DUP-RRAS’ plant, and thus the variety is stable. Cuttings             from ‘DUP-RRAS’ generally root well under commercial             greenhouse conditions. While greenhouse conditions such as             relative humidity and other factors such as cutting age             prior to planting affect the take, it is not unusual to get             a take of almost 100%. Please note that as successive             generations of cuttings are raised, the raiser may             experience a drop in take due to the incorporation of virus,             particularly if at some point grafted plants are prepared,             and cuttings are taken from such a plant.         -   Time to initiate roots.—An average time of initiation at             approximately 22 C is approximately six weeks, with slightly             longer times during winter at comparable temperatures, and             slightly shorter times during summer at comparable             temperatures.         -   Time to develop roots.—An average time, at approximately 22             C, of development of a root system after initiation, is             approximately six weeks, with slightly longer times during             winter at comparable temperatures, and slightly shorter             times during summer at comparable temperatures. It should be             noted that root initiation and development can be affected             by greenhouse conditions, biological stressors such as             disease organisms, as well as environmental stressors such             as low or variant relative humidity, over- and             under-watering, temperature variations or high or low             constant temperatures. Thus, rooting times can be shorter or             longer than the times given above depending on the values of             many different characteristics during the rooting process             known in the art.         -   Root description.—Fibrous and well-branched. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habits.—Perennial evergreen having             sturdy, prostrate to semi-upright growth. The growth habit             is generally compact. As recognized by one of skill in the             art, internodal distance can be dependent upon greenhouse             temperature/time profile, fertilizer availability profile,             and other factors.         -   Branching habit.—Moderately well-branched, having             approximately 5 laterals when a single stem plant is pinched             back to a 5 inch height.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—A salable plant             in a 15 inch hanging basket can be approximately 20 inches             high and 19 inches wide. Please note that cultural variables             such as those mentioned under “Plant Form,” above, among             others, can cause significant variation from the values             given herein.         -   Lateral branch description.—The average branch             characteristics of a salable plant grown as a 10 inch             hanging basket: Average Length: Approximately 10″. Average             Diameter: Approximately 0.4 cm measured at the transition             from green to woody stem texture. Texture: Immature: Smooth.             Mature: Woody and rough. Color: Immature: Green, more green             than 147A. Mature: Brownish gray, close to 200C with 197A             overtones. -   Mature foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single; numerous; symmetrical.         -   Length.—Approximately 8.6 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire, broadly undulate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, rugose.         -   Color.—Young foliage, upper surface: More green than 147A;             glossy. Mature foliage, upper surface: Generally darker than             147A; glossy.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 3.4 cm. Average Diameter: 0.2 cm.             Texture: Fine pubescence on upper surface; lower surface,             glabrous. Color: Dark greenish brown; close to 200A with             undertones of 147A. It should be noted that as with other             plant growth characteristics, foliage color and size can             vary with nutrient availability, greenhouse temperature, day             length, and other conditions of culture. -   Flower description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Year round, with number and size             reduction in extended periods of cold weather, such as             daytime temperatures of less than 60 C. Extreme heat can             slow growth and flower production.         -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf             axils. Very free-flowering, with usually one developing             flower bud per lateral branch, flowers face upward.         -   Flower appearance.—Medium-sized, double and semi-double             flowers, with an occasional single bloom. Flowers are open             for one to two days before senescence, which is often             accompanied by partial or full petal closure. Flowers             persistent.         -   Flower diameter.—‘DUP-RRAS’ flowers are generally in the             range of from about 6.5″ to 8.5″ when fully open, with             largest flowers produced during warm weather (for example,             day and night time temperatures above 73 F).         -   Flower depth.—Flower depth was measured to average             approximately 3.8 cm. Flower depth was measured after             removal of a petal and a sepal to expose the base of the             pistil. The measurement was taken on a fully opened flower             in the direction of the pistil, from the base of the ovaries             to the maximum height of the flower petal, i.e., the point             of recurvature of the petal. While double flowers comprise             extra petal tissue, the depth is measured by using the point             of recurvature of the outermost whorl of petals. It should             be noted that outermost whorl of hibiscus blossoms can             flatten out during the day, or increase or decrease in             curvature or degree of petal reflex during the day, and thus             variance from the foregoing value is possible.         -   Flower bud (just before showing color).—Rate of opening: 1-2             days. Rate of opening is generally faster in warmer weather.             Flower bud dimensions were measured on a bud which was             approximately one day from opening. Bud length was measured             from the tip of the bud to the abscission zone where bud and             peduncle meet. The average length of a bud which is one day             from opening is approximately 7.1 cm. Bud diameter was             measured at the widest part of the bud, an area             approximately halfway up the outside of the developing             petals. The average diameter of a bud which is one day from             opening is approximately 3.0 cm. It should be noted that bud             dimensions can vary somewhat with cultural conditions, and             variations can even be observed in buds which are at the             same stage of development. Furthermore, buds which develop             into fully double flowers are generally of greater diameter             than buds which develop into semi-double flowers, or the             occasional single flower. Shape: Roughly acuminate to ovate.             Color: More green than 147A.         -   Petals.—Texture: Smooth, satiny, rugose. Arrangement: The             corolla consists of five petals arranged in a whorl, having             regular partial overlap, even when the flower is fully open.             Doubling is present as a ruff of petal tissue formed due to             the mutation of anthers into petals. The doubled petals are             thus attached to the staminal column and are generally             distinct from the petals which comprise the corolla. Shape             of a petal from the outer whorl: Roughly spatulate, with a             rounded apex and a truncate base. The margin of each petal             is undulate and entire, such that the margin of the flower             appears to be undulate, and the overlap is such that the             flower margin appears circular, with large indentations at             the point where the flower margin changes from one petal to             the adjacent petal. A representative petal length was             measured to be 9.7 cm, and was taken from the base of the             petal to the farthest point on the margin opposite the base.             A representative width is 8.0 cm, and was measured             perpendicularly to the pistil at the widest point of the             petal. Petal size can vary with cultural conditions, such as             temperature, and thus the flower size and shape can vary as             well. Often, flowers which are produced at colder             temperatures are smaller and appear more fully overlapped,             giving almost a wheel-shaped appearance. When fully open,             the edges of ‘DUP-RRAS’ flowers can be sharply recurved. The             color of a warm weather flower is described below. It has             been observed that variations in temperature can effect the             stronger or weaker expression of certain pigments, changing             the balance of color, and thus variations in color intensity             and pattern can occur with temperature. It should be noted             that the colors of hibiscus are among the most changeable of             all flowers. A newly opening morning bloom generally has the             most intense coloration, but as the flower flattens out and             is exposed to the sun, many pigments begin to fade             immediately, resulting in a flower which can look like a             different variety altogether. While the flower of ‘DUP-RRAS’             fades less than those of many other varieties, exposed to             strong sun, it can fade to a soft pink with a soft orange             edge by the end of the first day. The morning colors are             described below. Color: Upper surface: A large, glossy, N77             eye slightly radiates between NN155C petal veins into a             large lavender pink zone. N155C petal veins radiate nearly             to the edge of the zone, which shades into a 12D margin.             Lower surface: A 12D zone at the overlapping edge of the             petal, marbled with 58C, radiates through a 58C zone on the             underlapping edge of the petal, continuing almost to a 12D             margin. -   Sepals: Unlike the petals, sepals are relatively invariant in color.     Their size can be affected by the same cultural conditions which     affect flower size. They are generally smooth and elongated oblong     with acute apices (pointed tips). They are fused at the long edges     into a cupped calyx bearing at its brim the five pointed tips. When     the petals of the flower spread open, the five pointed tips, which     are flush with the backs of the opening petals, are forced into a     radiating five point star-shaped configuration, which can be     observed on the profile and reverse pictures. A representative     width, which is measured perpendicularly to the long axis of the     sepal at the position on the sepal at which the oblong edges     transition from fused to unfused, is approximately 0.9 cm. A     representative length, measured on the sepal from the free point to     the fused point is approximately 2.8 cm. Color: Upper surface: Close     to 146A. Lower surface: Close to 147A.     -   -   Peduncle.—Length: 3.9 cm. Angle: Approximately 40 degrees             from branch. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: Smooth.             Color: Slightly darker than 146A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number:             Approximately 100. Anther shape: Crescent. Anther color:             58C. Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: 12B.             Gynoecium: Pistil number: 1. Pistil length (from base of             ovaries to top of stigma): 8.9 cm. Style length (from base             of ovaries to stigma branching point): 7.6 cm. Style             diameter, at base: 0.9 cm. Style color: Base: 11D.             Midsection: 11D. Apex: 58C. Stigma number: 5. Stigma color:             33A. It should be noted that the dimensions of a hibiscus             blossom generally change not only during bud development,             but also during opening, as well as during the life of the             opened flower. For instance, upon opening, the petals             generally gain in length. Double varieties gain significant             mass during opening. Furthermore, after opening, the pistil             continues to grow in length while the anther filaments which             hold the pollen sacs increase in length, the pollen sacs             open and the stigmas separate, each at the tip of a branched             style structure. Toward the end of the flower life, possibly             due to a reduction in turgor pressure, the pistil may shrink             in length and the petals may slightly decrease in area.             Usually, the senescing petals of the flower fold toward the             pistil to some degree, in some cases, completely enfolding             it. Furthermore, the present variety ‘DUP-RRAS’ is capable             of producing a range of flower forms, from single to             semidouble and full double. Because the “doubling” is             usually due to the conversion of sexual flower segments,             such as anther tissue, and less commonly, pistil and stigma             tissue, to petal tissue, the degree of doubling has an             effect on the number of reproductive segments exhibited by             such a flower. For example, a fully double flower can have a             greatly reduced number of anthers with respect to a single             flower. Even if the doubling has not effected the conversion             of stigma tissue into petal tissue, the effect of doubling             is often to deform the staminal column to such an extent             that the stigma are buried in petal or column tissue and are             either under-developed or impossible to locate, and in some             cases, completely absent, with only the pointed style             branches remaining as the flower's attempt to express its             female flower segments. Another phenomenon which is observed             in hibiscus flowers which exhibit a high degree of doubling             is the occasional production of multiple pistils, most often             fused at the base or along their lengths. Usually, such             fusion results in pistils which are incomplete, but the             potential for multiple pistils, and thus supernumerary             anthers and stigmas exists with double hibiscus in general,             and the present variety, ‘DUP-RRAS,’ in particular. -   Disease resistance: ‘DUP-RRAS’ has not been observed to be resistant     to pathogens common in hibiscus. However, it has been observed in     the green house to have a higher resistance to root rot than that of     many existing hybrid varieties grown on their own roots. If desired,     and if the risk of virus infection is of no concern, the present     variety can be grafted onto a rootstock and be grown as a grafted     plant. 

1. A new and distinct hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-RRAS’, either grafted or on its own roots, as illustrated and described. 